We hope you plan to attend the 2009 AIA Wisconsin Convention & Expo, EQUILIBRIUM, on May 20 & 21 at Monona Terrace in Madison. Don Smith, AIA, Hales Corners, and his Convention Committee have assembled another outstanding program of speakers, seminars and special events. This year's two-day state conference will explore ideas, projects and products that will help us maintain a healthy balance in architectural design and practice. New opportunities to gain additional AIA/CES learning units have been added to the schedule; and, during these turbulent economic times, we are proud to balance this excellent opportunity with extremely attractive registration fees for design and construction professionals! For Convention agenda and to register online, go to: http://www.aiaw.org/convention/index.shtml click on "convention" and then click on "attend."

FREE Seminars & Other Events

If you're just planning to take advantage of all the FREE programs offered as part of the 2009 AIA Wisconsin Convention & Expo on May 20 & 21, you can save time when you arrive at Monona Terrace next week by pre-registering for the Spotlight Seminars, Construction Industry Reception, Design Awards Presentation & Keynote, and Focus on Innovation. For information on these FREE special events and to register in advance, please go to: http://www.aiaw.org/convention/SpotlightOffer.shtml .

FREE Expo

The Building Products Expo is always FREE. This year, the Expo features more exhibitors and many new displays of the latest products and services available to Wisconsin's design and construction industry. The Expo is open 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, and 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 21. We hope to bump into you in the Exhibit Hall.

Chapter Meetings to Approve New Bylaws

The four local AIA Chapters will be holding meetings between 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, in conjunction with the AIA Wisconsin Convention & Expo at Monona Terrace in Madison to report on activities and consider the adoption of proposed new bylaws. Meeting notices have been sent to AIA Architect members of each chapter via email and mail. Your participation is important.
Landscape Architecture Legislation

Proposed landscape architecture practice legislation, 2009 Assembly Bill 142, has passed the Wisconsin Assembly. AIA Wisconsin believes that it is important for the legislation to be amended by the Wisconsin Senate to add a clear and unambiguous exemption for architects. Please contact your State Senator to encourage them to support such an amendment. Existing state statutes and related administrative rules govern the use of the title "landscape architect" but not the practice of landscape architecture. AB 142 would create a "practice" law by requiring state credentials to provide landscape architecture services, with certain services excluded from the definition. Architects traditionally have provided many of the professional services included in the definition of landscape architecture. As drafted, without a clear exemption for architects, the proposed legislation, in our opinion, creates more confusion than clarity for the public. For information on the Wisconsin Legislature, including how to contact your State Senator, visit the Wisconsin Legislature Website.

Joint Finance Committee

The 2009-11 state budget bill, 2009 Assembly Bill 75, now resides in the Joint Committee on Finance. This powerful legislative committee is reviewing the Governor's budget proposals and will be submitting its own budget recommendations to the Legislature in June, if all goes according to plan. Over the next month, members of the Joint Finance Committee will be deciding, for example, whether to increase or decrease funding for the state building program recommended by the Building Commission and may even consider proposals to expand the sales tax to architectural and other professional services in an attempt to balance the state budget. Now is the time to get to know members of this committee and let them know your position on these and other budget issues.

State Budget & Liability

According to the most recent estimates, the projected state budget deficit for the next biennium has grown by another $1 billion to over $6 billion. This will make it more tempting for state legislators to cut funding for the state building program and expand the sales to professional services in order to balance the 2009-11 budget. The Joint Committee on Finance currently is developing its budget recommendations. In addition to these important tax and spending issues, the Governor's budget bill, 2009 Assembly Bill 75, also contains significant changes in state liability law that could adversely affect the design and construction industry. For example, budget bill provisions would roll back the clock to allow anyone found to have equal or greater fault than the plaintiff to be held 100% responsible ("jointly and severally liable") even if only 1% at fault. In the 1990s, AIA Wisconsin was a member of the Coalition for Civil Justice that was successful in getting tort reform legislation adopted to require that a person be at least 51% at fault before they can be held responsible for 100% of the damages awarded.
AIA Director Appointment

AIA Wisconsin has the opportunity to appoint the next AIA Director for the North Central States region on the national AIA Board of Directors. The new AIA Director for our region, which also includes Minnesota, South Dakota and North Dakota, will be appointed to a three-year term that begins in December 2009. AIA members interested in being considered for this important leadership position are encouraged to submit a letter of interest with a statement of qualifications by no later than June 15. AIA Wisconsin Immediate Past President Lee Connellee, AIA, Appleton, is heading up a special Review Committee for this appointment. The AIA Wisconsin Board of Directors will act on the committee's recommendation at its meeting on August 6.

Sustainability | Energy Efficiency Leadership Award

June 1 is the application deadline for the 2009 Wisconsin Sustainability | Energy Efficiency (SE²) Leadership Award program. Entry materials are due by 7/17/09. AIA Wisconsin is partnering with other organizations to support this award that recognizes leadership in energy efficient and sustainable design, construction and operation of Wisconsin commercial buildings and related systems.

Future Leaders

AIA Wisconsin members can benefit from a reduced fee for "Engineering Future Leaders" program offered by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) of Wisconsin. The six-session leadership and career development program is designed to launch the design industry's most promising up-and-coming professionals into leadership roles within firms, the design and construction industry and our communities. The application deadline is July 8.

People & Places

Colin Klos, AIA, La Crosse, was appointed to the Credentials Committee for the 2009 AIA Convention in San Francisco. Kestas A. Palulonis, AIA, Crystal Lake, has been approved for Emeritus membership in The American Institute of Architects. Bouril Design Studio has moved to 1 Point Place, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53719. Wade Taylor & Associates has changed its name to WTA Architects LLC. The IP/BIM Studio (Craft and Computation in the Academy) at UWM SARUP was recognized as part of the fifth annual Technology in Architectural Practice Building Information Model Awards program at the AIA Convention.